Filing Taxes

The staff of the Office of International Student Services is not trained in tax laws and CANNOT give tax advice or assist with the filing of your return. The information provided below is meant to serve a resource and provide general information.

The deadline for filing most tax returns is April 15. The tax year you are reporting on is for the previous calendar year (Jan. 1–Dec. 31). Note: When the phrase "tax return" or "return" is used, it is referring to the actual tax return (1040NR, 1040NR EZ) and accompanying form (Form 8843).

Beware of scams! Remember that the IRS will never contact you via email. Any communication from someone who claims to be the IRS should not be opened, as it likely contains some sort of virus or malware. Never provide your Social Security Number/Individual Taxpayer Identification Number to anyone via email.

Tax Forms

Federal tax forms and publications are available by calling 800.829.3676, by fax-on-demand by calling 703.368.9694 from a fax machine, or from irs.ustreas.gov.

Ohio state tax forms and publications are available by calling 800.282.1782, by fax-on-demand by calling 800.282.1782 from a fax machine, or fromtax.ohio.gov/Forms.aspx.

There usually are forms available in the hallway outside of the ISS Office in Tomlinson Hall, Room 143.

For assistance with federal forms, call the Internal Revenue Service toll free at 800.829.1040 or visit irs.ustreas.gov. The Internal Revenue Service also offers free advice and answers to international tax questions. Contact the IRS national office hotline at 202.874.1460 for assistance. This is not a toll-free number.

You also may want to visit Windstar Technologies Inc., which features articles and reference information on a number of topics of interest to international students, including:

U.S. taxation of foreign students and scholars: A road map to an individual's tax return

U.S. Taxation of Foreign Students and Scholars

Tax Treaty Benefits for Foreign Student and Scholars: How Tax Treaties Work

The complete texts of each country's tax treaty with the United States

Frequently Asked Questions

In the U.S., federal and state income taxes are withheld from each paycheck by employers based on information provided by the employee on Form W-4 (usually completed by the employee at the time of hire). Because the withholding is only an estimate, employees are given a yearly opportunity to reconcile the amount taken out with how much was owed.

Employers provide year-end forms that give a summary of monies received the previous year and amounts withheld. These year-end forms are then used by the employee to file a tax return with the government. If too much was withheld, you will receive a refund. If not enough was withheld, you will need to pay the government the additional amount. If the amount taken out matches the amount due, no money is owed by you or the government.

A "tax return" is the name of the form used for the conciliation of taxed with the government. Your federal tax return is filed with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), an agency of the U.S. government. Your state tax return is filed with the Ohio Department of Taxation, and your city/local tax return is filed with your municipality office.

When International Student Services documentation cites "tax return" or "return", we are referring to both the tax return itself and accompanying forms (Form 8843). Tax residents usually complete Forms 1040 or 1040-EZ. Nonresidents for tax purposes must complete either Forms 1040NR-EZ or the longer 1040-NR.

Nonresidents, for tax purposes, are taxed only on their U.S. income. With a few exceptions, this means that any income received from outside the U.S. is not considered taxable in the U.S.

Residents, for tax purposes, are taxed by the U.S. on their income from anywhere in the world. Please be aware that though you are a nonresident for immigrations purposes, you could be a resident for tax purposes.

All individuals in the U.S. who have income must file a U.S. tax return, even if no taxes are withheld from the income because of a tax treaty exemption between the U.S. and the country of tax residence for the international visitor. Nonresidents who are married and both work each must file a U.S. tax return. Non-resident aliens are generally not exempt from filing state and city income tax returns. The state of Ohio follows the federal government in requiring a return to be filed by all individuals who received income from within the state of Ohio.

In addition to the tax return, all individuals in F, J, M, and Q immigration (including spouse and young children) are required to file a Form 8843 - Statement for Exempt Individuals, as long as they are considered non-resident aliens for tax purposes.

A non-resident for tax purposes is a person who is not a U.S. citizen and who does not meet either the "green card" test or the "substantial presence" test described in Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens. With regard to residency determination for tax purposes:

F and J students generally are considered non-residents during their first five (5) calendar years in the U.S.

J non-students (researchers, scholars, teachers, etc.) generally are considered non-residents during their first two (2) calendar years in the U.S.

A resident for tax purposes is a person who is not a U.S. citizen and who meets either the "green card" test or the "substantial presence" test described in Publication 519, U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens. With regard to residency determination for tax purposes:

F and J student visa holders generally are considered residents after their first five (5) calendar years in the U.S.

J non-students (researchers, scholars, teachers, etc.) generally are considered residents after their first two (2) calendar years in the U.S.

W-2 forms and forms 1042-S will be mailed. If you have questions about your 1042-S or your W-2, and your employer was Case Western Reserve University, contact the Case Western Reserve University Payroll Office at payroll@case.edu.

If your employer was not Case Western Reserve University and you have questions about your forms, you should contact your employer.

Unfortunately, International Student Services is not able to provide assistance or advice regarding filing taxes. Because of this, we make tax assistance with GLACIER Tax Prep, formerly known as CINTAX (Non-resident returns only) available.

GLACIER Tax Prep is a web-based tax return preparation system designed exclusively for foreign students, scholars, teachers, researchers, trainees, and their dependents who are nonresident aliens. Some features of GLACIER Tax Prep include:

Verifying each type of payment for any applicable income tax treaty exemptions

Completing the correct U.S. income tax return: either Form 1040NR or Form 1040NR-EZ.

Printing the tax return and all attachments (please note, the IRS does not allow nonresident aliens to file a tax return electronically)

Note that GLACIER Tax Prep is only available for federal returns. State and local returns must be filed using another method.

CWRU makes this program available at no cost to you. The program is accessible starting in February at myServices by using a valid CWRU Network ID and password to log in.

Please also note that this program is only available to CWRU-sponsored students and scholars.

If you have attempted to use GLACIER Tax Prep and the program says you are a "Resident Alien for Tax Purposes," then you cannot use the program to complete your tax return. We recommend that you consult with the Cuyahoga Earned Income Tax Credit Coalition about its free Tax Preparation Locations.

Check the table below to see if you need to file a return—and, if so, what you need to do so:

Resident Type

Tax Filing Reference

Non-resident Alien with Income

Yes, you must file a return. You are eligible to use GLACIER Tax Prep to file your federal return (Form 1040NR or Form 2040NR-EZ). You also need to file your Ohio state and local returns.

Non-resident Alien with No Income

Yes, you should file Form 8843 (available at GLACIER Tax Prep or IRS website).

Resident Alien with income

Yes, you should file your federal return (Form 1040 or Form 20104-EZ), but cannot use GLACIER Tax Prep to file. You also need to file your Ohio state and local returns.

Any scholarship or fellowship grant letters you may have received from your academic institution or host sponsor instead of Form 1042-S

A copy of your previous year’s federal income tax return (Form 1040NR or 1040NR-EZ), if you filed a federal income tax return last year.

Please do not forget that students must also file state and local tax forms. Once you have completed your federal income tax return, the others are relatively easy. Ohio Income Tax Forms are available online at the Ohio Department of Taxation's website. You can pick up state and local tax forms at U.S. Post Offices and public libraries. Local/municipal tax forms also may be obtained from your City Hall.

If you wish to hire an accountant, the following online directories are available:

The Ohio Society of CPAs

National Association of Enrolled Agents

If you choose to hire an accountant, ask questions to determine if he/she understands international taxation and non-resident taxes. Be certain to ask about tax treaties, NRA exemption and deductions on tax returns

If you worked and earned income from a U.S. source, you will need a Social Security Number (SSN) in order to file your tax return. If you did not earn income from a U.S. source, you will not need a SSN or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Dependents, who are being claimed as deductions on a tax return, must have a SSN or ITIN. The Social Security Administration restricts the SSN to individuals who are working, so an ITIN may be required for dependents. If an ITIN is required, the ITIN application (IRS Form W-7) must be sent with the tax return. For more information about the ITIN and how to apply for one, visit the IRS website.

The IRS website gives information about social security withholding. Go to the IRS website’s Foreign Students and Scholars page, and select the appropriate link for you, under either "Withholding Taxes on Foreign Students" or "Withholding Taxes on Foreign Teachers, Foreign Researchers, and Other Foreign Professionals"

Generally, nonresidents in F or J categories are exempt from these taxes during the time they are "non-resident aliens" for tax purposes if they are in valid immigration status. Resident aliens, in general, have the same liability for Social Security/Medicare Taxes that U.S. citizens have.

Additional Resources

If you have questions about your 1042-S or your W-2, and your employer was Case Western Reserve University, contact the Case Western Reserve University Payroll Office at payroll@case.edu.